Another Gold Coast based firm has been successfully awarded a contract as part of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games™ (GC2018) preparations.

Deputy Premier and the Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney today announced Bundall-based MODE as architects of the hockey centre upgrade in Keith Hunt Park.

“The Queensland Government is focused on creating jobs and boosting the State economy and it’s great to see a local company given this opportunity,” Mr Seeney said.

“I congratulate MODE on winning this tender which will include new synthetic pitches to meet international competition standards as well as upgrades to the existing facilities.

“MODE will present a concept design for the hockey centre later this year and the construction program will be prepared in close consultation with existing users to minimise impacts.

“Consultation will also take place to ensure the hockey centre upgrades provide lasting benefits to the community far beyond GC2018.

“Construction is due to be completed by early 2017.”

Mr Seeney said the Queensland Government would soon release a plan that would demonstrate how the delivery of the competition venues was on target to be completed well ahead of GC2018.

The Gold Coast Hockey Centre now joins the Coomera Sports and Leisure Centre, and Carrara Sports Precinct projects, as venues currently in the design phase.

Commonwealth Games Minister Jann Stuckey said the milestone was a yet another example of how local businesses would benefit from GC2018 opportunities.

“Local businesses have already benefitted from the GC2018 investment and there will be many more opportunities, which will only be made easier by the whole of Games procurement plan due for release in mid-2014,” Ms Stuckey said.

“The Commonwealth Games will create up to 30,000 jobs and inject $2 billion into our economy.

“The Newman Government plans to build on that by establishing Queensland as a location renowned for high quality international events and world-class infrastructure.”

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate welcomed the appointment of local firms for quantity survey and design of the new Gold Coast Hockey Centre, saying the city had a strong entrepreneurial spirit and significant local expertise.

“The 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) presents a unique opportunity for our local companies, so it’s an excellent outcome to see contracts for another GC2018 venue going to Gold Coast businesses.”